KINEGRAM VOLUME®

Type: Volume hologram security feature — foil stripe applied to banknote paper or polymer substrate

Overview

Kinegram Volume® is a premium security foil technology developed by KURZ in close cooperation with two of the world's most demanding currency authorities. The original technology was developed in close cooperation with the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and Orell Füssli Security Printing (OFS), focused on volume holographic features. It represents a distinct departure from conventional surface-relief diffractive security foils, drawing on the fundamentally different optical physics of volume holography to produce visual effects that are unlike anything achievable with standard DOVID technology.

Technology & Effects

Based on the proprietary KINEGRAM® origination process, Kinegram Volume® is created by laser technology and uses distinct single colours, unlike other security foils which display the typical chromatic rainbow colour effects. It shows individual, vibrant colours and a stunning 'on-off' effect.

The defining characteristic of the feature is this on-off visibility behaviour: the vibrantly coloured, highly prominent images can only be seen at narrow angles when the banknote is tilted back and forth, otherwise they remain invisible. This binary switching between full visibility and complete invisibility — rather than a gradual colour shift — is immediately intuitive for public authentication and impossible to simulate with surface-embossed rainbow holograms or conventional colour-shifting foils. The distinct 'on-off' optical effect is extremely easy to understand and to use, while at the same time virtually impossible to counterfeit. Volume holography is taken to the next level with this sophisticated technology.

Form Factors & Deployment Options

Kinegram Volume® is available in two configurations. In its pure form as a standalone feature with two pre-defined colours, it is a principal element in the new Israeli Shekel banknote series, where the unique and surprising visual effects maximise both the security of the banknotes and the ease of public education. Alternatively, Kinegram Volume® can be enhanced with the classic KINEGRAM® partial metallization technology — in this combination it was selected to protect the new series of Swiss Franc banknotes. The partial metallization enhancement adds a conventional diffractive KINEGRAM® layer alongside the volume hologram, providing a multi-technology feature that addresses both public recognition and advanced anti-counterfeiting requirements within a single foil element.

Security Levels

The on-off visibility effect provides an exceptionally clear Level 1 (public) authentication cue — the image is either vividly present or completely absent, with no ambiguity. KURZ describes it as expert-proven with extremely high anti-counterfeiting security that cannot be counterfeited by any commercially available means. The volume hologram origination requires specialist laser technology and materials developed exclusively by KURZ, placing fabrication entirely beyond the reach of commercial counterfeiting operations.

Notable Deployments

Kinegram Volume® protects the new Israeli Shekel banknote series as a standalone feature, and the new Swiss Franc banknote series in combination with KINEGRAM® partial metallization. Both central banks — the Bank of Israel and the Swiss National Bank — are among the most security-conscious issuing authorities in the world, making these deployments a strong endorsement of the technology's credentials.

Name

KINEGRAM VOLUME®

Category

Security Feature

Effect Types

Diffractive

Company

KURZ
Company Website

Product Page

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Linked Features

1 security feature